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Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon III "had a decent [combine] workout but not a great one, putting up results that were average or above-average in every category," according to ESPN's Todd McShay.

McShay was discussing MGIII as a way to illustrate his larger point, which was that this talented running back class, as a group, disappointed at the combine. "The fact two of our four top-ranked backs weren't able to work out due to injury -- Georgia's Todd Gurley and Indiana's Tevin Coleman -- had an impact on this group, but even taking their absences into account, this was a disappointing performance," McShay wrote. "Last year, 10 running backs ran the 40-yard dash faster than 4.5 seconds; this year, only three did." Gordon III ran a 4.52-second forty-yard dash at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, posting a Speed Score of 103.0.

The massive 6-foot-8, 333-pounder had a forgettable time at the combine. He beat only eight offensive linemen with a 5.46 40-yard dash, had one of the worst 20-yard shuttle showings amongst linemen (4.87), had the worst three-cone drill time (8.28), and posted a field-low 16 reps on the bench press. "He did not appear to move well and didn't look very fast or strong," Brandt wrote. "But he was on a Wisconsin team that won a lot of games (39) and featured a great running attack during his time there. The Badgers rushed for 200-plus yards 12 times and 300-plus yards five times last season, and Havenstein did not get called for holding once in 2014 while surrendering just 2.5 sacks. He's been extremely well coached and demonstrates great technique. Will that help him against NFL-level pass rushers?"

"That ended up as the fifth-highest score in this year's class, though it certainly doesn't match the average score of a first-round running back over the past decade, which is around 110," noted ESPN's Aaron Schatz. Gordon ran a 4.52-second forty-yard dash at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds. Gordon, the favorite to be the first running back off the board, has big hands (9 3/4").

NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks believes that Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon III could land with the Dallas Cowboys at No.27 and thinks he "would be a nice replacement if Demarco Murray leaves as a free agent."

The Cowboys' offensive line will help an explosive runner like Gordon churn out 1,200 yards annually. The ex-Badger would be a nice replacement if Demarco Murray leaves as a free agent," Brooks wrote. The Wisconsin RB did get a chance to meet with the Dallas Cowboys at the combine, and has a good relationship with Jerry Jones. If the Cowboys are looking for a back to step right in and be a work horse, Gordon III gives Dallas a solid option. In his last two seasons at Wisconsin, he racked up a whopping 549 carries, while averaging 7.5 yards a carry.

"There’s just one thing Gordon is lacking at this time: three-down ability," Bedard writes, adding Gordon III was frequently taken off the field in passing situations. MGIII did show a "willingness" when allowed to pass protect, but was not asked to recognize blitzers and does not "possess natural feel in space as a receiver." As far as running with the football, Bedard says the Badger can be "breathtaking." We think there is a considerable gap between Gurley and the next group of ball carriers, and Gurley fits more in a clump of other runners than in first-round consideration.

An NFL scout told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon has "got a little bit of Jamaal Charles in him."

This comparison gets made frequently. As with all comparisons, be careful about reading into it too literally. MGIII (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) is bigger than Charles, but also roughly .15 seconds slower in the forty-yard dash (Gordon had forty times of 4.52 and 4.53 on Saturday). "Unique runner," the scout said. "Upright, fast runner. He's quick and has very good feet." A better comparison might be Robert Smith, who similarly wasn't thought of as fast, but who outran just about every defensive back he encountered. "He's good, but against those slow (expletive) Big Ten guys," said another scout. "That's what bothers me a little bit."

"He has enough speed -- he can break the long run," Faulk said. Some may have been disappointed in MGII's times, but they have no reason to be, as the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder clocked some of the best numbers in this year's RB class. Perhaps all those comparisons to Jamaal Charles had some expecting a similar mid-4.3s score. Gordon, the favorite to be the first running back off the board, has big hands (9 3/4").

The massive 6-foot-8, 333-pounder had a forgettable testing day. He beat only eight offensive lineman with a 5.46 40-yard dash, had one of the worst 20-year shuttle showings amongst linemen (4.87), had the worst three-cone drill time (8.28), and posted a field-low 16 reps on the bench press. Consider Havenstein as something of a poor man's Phil Loadholt, a lumbering road grader who will interest run-heavy teams looking to develop a mauler at right tackle. Make no mistake, though: Havenstein needs works.

The Wisconsin stud running back displays big-play ability and should be the first back to have his name called in the draft. With Todd Gurley coming off an ACL injury, Gordon gets a slight boost in his draft stock. Gordon should offer an NFL team a complete running back, that is the definition of a home-run hitter at the position.

Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon's "40 times [at the combine] and results in the shuttle and cone drills, if he chooses to do those, could be noteworthy," notes NFL.com.

"With Georgia's Todd Gurley unlikely to participate in any individual events as he rehabs from a torn ACL, Gordon will get a lot of the running back spotlight," wrote College Football 24/7 writer Mike Huguenin. "He seems likely to go in the first round, and Gurley's injury might mean Gordon will be the first back selected. Gordon deservedly received a ton of hype after rushing for 2,587 yards in 2014, second-most in FBS history. He also showed more as a receiver and blocker, though there still are questions about those facets of his game." Former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson also compares MGIII to Charles, and believes the Badger will be the first RB taken in the spring draft. Badgers' AD Barry Alvarez called Gordon "probably the best ever to come through" the Wisconsin football program.

Arneson announced his retirement from football after Wisconsin's Outback Bowl victory over Auburn. "That was my last game," he said. "It's a combination of injuries and such, and what's right for me. I've had knee troubles since high school and I had a concussion. I didn't play in the second half of the Big Ten championship game. It's time for me. For my future, it's what's right for me." Arneson could have been a Day 3 pick.

"When I look at him on tape, he kind of reminds me of Jamaal Charles," Brooks said. "A guy that has the pitter-pat in the hole, has the speed, the burst, the acceleration to take it the distance, but what I'm really impressed with is the toughness he showed running between the tackles. ... This is the guy who is going to break the mold of the traditional Wisconsin running back, because I think he's going to be a star at the NFL level." Former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson also compares MGIII to Charles, and believes the Badger will be the first RB taken in the spring draft. Gordon ran 2,587 yards in 2014, the second-highest total ever, along with 29 touchdowns.

ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon III as the top RB in the 2015 class.

Todd Gurley is No. 2, Tevin Coleman is No. 3, Duke Johnson No. 4, Ameer Abdullah No. 5. We are shocked to see any ball carrier ranked ahead of Gurley, who we feel is easily the most talented RB in the 2015 crop. "A crucial question is whether Gurley will have a chance to work out for teams as he works his way back from the ACL tear," Kiper writes, so we can surmise the injury plays a major part in his placement.

"The Cardinals need fresh legs in the backfield, but would they pull the trigger on a running back in the first round? It's possible and Gordon would add another dimension to Bruce Arians' offense," Brugler wrote. NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah ranks Gordon as the No. 10 prospect in the class, but has Gordon going to the Cowboys at No. 27 in a mock draft. Former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson said MGIII wouldn't have been a lock to be the first RB taken had Todd Gurley not suffered his knee injury. There is a good chance that Gordon could be the first RB to hear his name called in this year's draft.

"[Gordon is] bigger and stronger, but he's got Mason's tremendous quickness," Brandt wrote. "He's an interesting player because up until this season he had started only eight games. This year he started all 13 games -- 14 if you count the bowl game -- running for 2,587 yards, the second-highest total ever, and 29 touchdowns. Gordon improved in two key areas last season: He became a much better pass catcher, posting 26 catches after posting 16 in his three seasons before, and a more reliable player in pass protection. I think Gordon has enough strength to carry the ball 20 times a game in the NFL, and he should have a lot more success as a rookie than Mason did." Former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson compares MGIII to Jamaal Charles, and believes the Badger will be the first RB taken in the spring draft.